Snowy Valleys Community Encouraged To Light Up The Dawn on ANZAC Day
Published on 23 April 2020
Snowy Valleys Council is encouraging the community to take part in a driveway tribute initiative this Saturday to commemorate ANZAC Day 2020 and reflect on the sacrifices of Australia’s fallen heroes.
Mayor James Hayes said with services across the region cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was important to find new ways to recognise all the armed services and their sacrifices.
“RSL NSW and our local chapters are right behind the idea to mark Australia’s day of remembrance via a driveway tribute and I think it’s a fantastic and innovative way for us to still stand together even while apart, to remember,” Mayor Hayes said.
The initiative called ‘Light up the Dawn’ encourages people to go to the end of their driveway or stand on their balcony at 6am on ANZAC Day with a lit candle or torch and listen to a brief commemorative service.
At 6am locals can also tune into Sounds of the Mountains and Radio Upper Murray when station Manager-Technician Dave Eisenhauer will broadcast a pre-recorded dawn service.
“The dawn service recorded for broadcast is from Tumut RSL Sub Branch but is designed to be shared across the whole region as we will also be broadcasting to Tumbarumba, Walwa and district on the morning of the 25th as well as Gundagai and Tumut regions. There will also be a main service broadcast at 10.30am,” Mr Eisenhauer said.
“Our broadcast is really local and will sound very familiar to the communities in our region and will certainly complement the big broadcasters’ ceremonies and services”.
Mr Eisenhauer added, “The sub branches have really put in an extra effort this year, and the station is proud to be able to do our part in bringing something special to the region on Saturday”.
The ABC will also be broadcasting a 5.30am service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on ABCTV, iview, Radio and streamed on Facebook and YouTube. This includes from around 6am, The Last Post and a minute of silence.
There will also be a 10am closed service from Sydney that will be broadcast on ABC. Both services will also be streamed live on the RSL NSW Facebook page.
Communities are encourage to post a photo of their family holding a drive way vigil to the Council Facebook page to commemorate the day.
“This is a history making event and I look forward to commemorating my own vigil at home knowing that I stand connected with every other Australian as I pay my respects and acknowledge and remember our servicemen and women and their sacrifices,” said Mayor Hayes.
For more tips to help prepare for ANZAC Day at home visit the RSLNSW website at www.rslnsw.org.au/anzac-spirit